The Riley Institute at Furman

Meet the first four members of our 2026 RISE cohort! 🌟

This summer, Alexis, Anna, Kylie, and Allen-Michael are stepping into new experiences and learning more about the amazing work happening across Greenville.

Swipe through to get to know them and see what they're most excited about this summer!

No caps and gowns at graduation day for the newest cohorts of the Upstate and Midlands (DLI).

Their final assignment? Projects designed to make a tangible difference in South Carolina communities.

Among this year's capstones were:
🟣 Connecting neurodivergent young adults to careers in manufacturing,
🟣 Supporting former foster youth as they enter the workforce,
🟣 Expanding literacy opportunities for children and families, and
🟣 Addressing food insecurity on college campuses.

Congratulations to our newest DLI graduates!

✨ The 2026 Riley Institute Summer Experience (RISE) is officially underway!

Our interns gathered for their first meeting on Tuesday, and the summer is already off to a fantastic start. Over the coming weeks, these students will be working alongside community organizations across Greenville, contributing to meaningful projects that make a difference.

We can't wait to introduce each of our interns and highlight their incredible work over the summer. Stay tuned next week!

Another special thank you to our outstanding partner organizations:
, , , , , , , , , , .engage, and

South Carolina's primary elections are TOMORROW, June 9.

Because South Carolina operates under an open primary system, eligible voters may choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary regardless of party affiliation. You may only vote in one primary.

Before heading to the polls:

📍 Find your polling place:
https://vrems.scvotes.sc.gov/Voter/Login?PageMode=PollingPlace

🗳️ View your sample ballot:
https://vrems.scvotes.sc.gov/Voter/Login?PageMode=Sampleballot

🎥 Hear directly from gubernatorial and attorney general candidates through our friends at South Carolina ETV:
https://www.scetv.org/elections

A new South Carolina law is helping families protect inherited land and the wealth it can create for future generations.

The legislation reflects years of cross-sector work by community advocates, policymakers, and partners, including the Center for Heirs' Property, recipient of The Riley Institute's 2026 Partners in Progress Award.

Read more in The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/may/29/gullah-geechee-property-tax-relief-act

Trusted, accessible election coverage helps strengthen civic participation across South Carolina.

Our partners at South Carolina ETV will host and livestream three South Carolina Election 2026 primary debates from Columbia:

📍 Republican Attorney General Primary Debate — May 27 at 7 p.m.
📍 Republican Gubernatorial Primary Debate — June 1 at 7 p.m.
📍 Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Debate — June 3 at 7 p.m.

Tune in to hear directly from candidates and stay informed about the issues shaping communities across our state.

Watch the livestream here:

South Carolina ETV and Public Radio to broadcast and livestream "South Carolina Election 2026" primary debates | South Carolina ETV South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) will host, broadcast and livestream a series of South Carolina Election 2026 primary debates beginning May 27 at 7 p.m. from SCETV studios in Columbia. The debates will air live across SCETV’s statewide television and radio network as well as across all ...

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping every part of American life from the information we trust to how we work, learn, and make decisions. 2026 will ask: How do we shape the future of AI before it shapes us?

Save the Dates: September 1, 8, 15. Confirmed speakers include:
🟣Renee Cummings: 2023 VentureBeat AI Innovator Award winner, University of Virginia
🟣Sneha Revanur: Founder, Encode AI. Youngest in TIME’s inaugural list of the 100 most influential voices in AI
🟣Jaime Harrison: Former chair of the Democrats
🟣Matt Moore: Former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party

More details coming soon.

Advantage Scholars — we look forward to having you here at Furman University on June 22!

Wondering how much fun you're about to have? Let the past Advantage Scholars cohorts show you.

Visit www.furman.edu/news/advantage-scholars-get-first-experience-as-paladins/ to read what past cohorts thought of their experiences.

Great gains coming from our 2026 Partners in Progress award winner, Center for Heirs' Property, and their allies and partners!

This past weekend, we celebrated the graduates who have challenged ideas, led conversations across perspectives, and stepped into civic engagement.

Congratulations to our scholars and all Furman University graduates crossing the stage. Thank you for leaving Furman better than you found it! 🎓